As of December 1, 2009, the FTC requires bloggers and internet marketers to provide disclosures whenever there could be hidden interests or unspoken biases related to recommendations. If you were paid or received free goods for a post, you must disclose it or be fined.
The interesting fact is celebrities on TV don’t have to disclose at the beginning of each commercial that they are getting paid to endorse the product, it’s assumed. I am no celebrity and don’t get paid nearly as much as they do, but I am a rule follower and here’s my disclosure statement.
GoEpicurista.com is a blog for entertainment purposes only. I only share with you dining and travel experiences worth celebrating and products that I love. My goal is to inspire you to get out there and #MakeSomedayHappen.
My philosophy for this blog and what I choose to write about is simple.
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^ If I write about it on the blog or in any of my social media platforms, it’s because I am comfortable recommending it. It is either an experience I have tried and loved or one that interests me and is on my ‘someday list’.
^ If I don’t write about it, then I’ve either not tried it or don’t feel strongly about a recommendation.
^ I’m not a critic or an investigative journalist, I’m a blogger. It is not my desire to slam any business out there or to put out negativity into the world. There are plenty of others who do that.
^ Sometimes, I will share about an experience or product that I have paid for and received no compensation. That’s my prerogative.
^ Most times, I am an invited media guest to an event or press trip, I’ve received payment for a sponsored post, the person I am interviewing takes care of the restaurant bill or the company provides free products. This does not always cover all the costs involved in putting together a post and maintaining this website but there you go. It’s disclosed anyways.
^ I only work with companies and brands that align with my values and I feel are the right fit for Go Epicurista readers and online friends. I value your trust and appreciate your support.
^ We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
To cover the legalities and preserve your reading experience, please assume that, for every recommendation, link, and product I use, the following all hold true: compensation, free event tickets, free meals and free product was received in exchange.
Just because I get paid to blog, post on social media, attend events and press travel trips, etc. does NOT mean I will give you or your company a positive review, blog post or endorsement. As I said before, if it is not an experience worth celebrating or a product I love, I will not write about it and endorse it. I will share my experience in private with the company and allow them the opportunity to make corrections as they deem appropriate.
Thank you for reading about the legalities of blog disclosure. If you have any questions, just ask via this contact form.
Cheers!
Go Epicurista
